Script Writing 101: Selling a Screenplay in the 21st Century

ScriptBully Book Series

By: Michael Rogan

Narrated by: Greg Zarcone

Want to sell a screenplay, but figure there’s no chance it’ll ever happen?I mean, you don’t know a soul in Hollywood, right?You don’t have James Cameron on your speed dial. Christopher Nolan isn’t in your yoga class.Quentin Tarantino doesn’t shop at the same Whole Foods that you do.I mean, who’s going to take a chance on you?There’s no way you could ever sell a screenplay.Right?Well…The truth is: there has never been a better time to get your screenplay read, noticed and ultimately sold. Never. Ever. I could tell you it's because of the power of social media to make connections with decision-makers like never before before. Or the fact that the line between content creator and distributor is as thin as a Russian supermodel's waist line.Or that it's about the systematic collapse of the traditional publishing industry that has redefined what a “published' property is, making any self-published novel, ebook or blog fertile ground for starting a bidding war.But, really, I think it's that nobody in this business knows what the hell “media” is going to look like in the future.Are we going to even go to movie theaters in five years? Ten years? Next week?Will action movies need to be shot, not just for 3-D, but also for being played on a cell phone?Will there even be a window between the time a movie is released theatrically before it arrives on your TV/DVR/Blu-Ray Player/Robot Maid?Nobody knows.And that scares the hell out of everybody who works in this town.But fear is good for the screenwriter. It means the gatekeepers don’t’ know where the gates are.

So if you’ve got a script you think that kicks some major butt, and you’re looking for a way to crash the film industry and, hopefully, quit that crappy day job you’ve been slaving at, then give my book a try.I can’t promise you’ll sell your script. (The FCC tends to throw people in jail who do that.)But I can tell you these are sound strategies to help you approach producers, directors, actors and production companies in a professional and unique way that will make you stand out.And if we can get your script as good as I think it can be then you might have the makings of a seriously awesome writing career in front of you.Good luck with your writing!

©2013 Michael Rogan (P)2013 Michael Rogan

Much more up to date (2017) than anticipated.

If you are considering this book, you've probably read others like it and to a certain extent, they all contain the same information. Which is true, but what's so great about this book is how succinctly it reminds us of all those things. Those things we know we should do, and kind of only do when reminded, not to mention a few that we may have overlooked.
Would definitely recommend this for any aspiring screenwriter. Not too many like this in audiobook format.

Really good

Loved this book for its down to earth practical tips and advice as well as the wit. Good job!!

Valuable.

When the student is ready the teacher shall appear. The teacher has appeared. Are you ready?
Much like Hollywood itself, this book is valuable, entertaining and (through no fault of its own) nauseating.

Excellent book and advise THANK YOU!

I have finished my screenplay and didn't know which directions to go when it comes to selling it. This book was a great help. I'm more motivated now due to the information in this book.I would recommend this book to all screen writers.

Not a bad listen

Overall, I like and dislike a lot of elements to this book.

LIKE:
I enjoy the performance to a point, in one sentence it sounds like someone whose fairly sleazy but in the other it sounds like someone whose legit gone through the trouble of business and has this disgruntled perspective.

DISLIKE:
As much as I enjoy things that are quick and "to the point' it felt like you could read(listen) to this book in under the amount of time it asks you to do ANY of the tasks explained in the book. To me it seemed like it skipped through a lot.

In the end, it's one of those let's see if it works type books. I don't know that this would have been my way into the business, however a lot of simple tips exist throughout this read.

Get a different book this sucks

This book fell very short of providing any substance. The reader will not learn anything from it.